Golf Websites, The New Target Of Malware Authors

As per the web security company ScanSafe, on Sep 25, 2006, the number of malevolent messages has increased precipitously on Internet sites containing golf-linked messages. The Ryder Cup golf tournament that is just finished and won by Europe for the third time in a row could be a reason for this. . International fame of Tiger Woods & Team USA has made them possible victims of hackers who abuse the PCs of their admirers. .

In a trial run, the company utilized its exploratory package named Scandoo and discovered that nearly 30 % internet browses with words such as 'Tom Lehman; & 'Tiger Woods' presented diverse malicious software like spyware, worms & Trojans.

Parallel searches with names of other European Ryder Cup participants yielded results that hardly carried any sites containing malevolent program.

"Malicious software writers exploit the fame of personalities like Tiger Woods and tournaments like the Ryder Cup to propagate their programs and affect computers. It is imperative for end users to keep in mind that even ostensibly harmless net browsing can compromise them to possible security hazards along with unsuitable substance, malware and spyware. It can probably pilfer private details and access code," declared Dan Nadir, Vice President for product strategy in ScanSafe.

It has also been revealed that sites linked to Ryder Cup have attracted large number of hits throughout the event and is supposed to have grown by 1,000 %.

Latest, VML fault of Internet Explorer (IE) is abused primarily by Internet sites holding adult matter. It is exploited to install different types of malicious software on the systems of end users. This survey has demonstrated that malicious software writers do not usually aim sites bearing mature or adult themes. Anything that's currently renowned will be the main goal for malicious software writers. They look for various methods to tempt users to fix malicious software on their computers.

"Ryder Cup is perhaps the most thrilling golf tourney worldwide; it would seem that malevolent program writers are also desirous of some huge individual triumphs," declared the company in its bulletin.

End users are advised to mount a suitable security system to avoid downloading of malevolent program on their PCs.